Machine for opening envelops.



J. V. WASHBURNE.

MACHINE FOR OPENING ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2I. 1914. RENEWED MAY 11. 1916.

1,265,844. Patented May 1 1, 1918.

2 $HEETSSHEET I.

IN VE/V TOR HIS A TTORNEYS J. V. WASHBURNE. MACHiNE FOR OPENING ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2I.. 1914. RENEWED MAY n. 1916.

Patented May 14, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HIS A 7708/1/15 Y8 "UNTTED TATES PATENT @FFTCE.

JAMES V. VJASHBURNE, OF FULTON, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR OPENING ENVELQPS.

Application filed April 21, 1914, Serial No. 833,421. Renewed May 11, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES V. WASHBURNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fulton, in the county of Oswego and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Opening Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for opening envelops, and particularly to that class of these machines employing a rotary cutting cylinder and a loosely mounted shear plate having a cutting edge opposed to the rotary cylinder.

It has been found in practice with machines of this construction, that when envelops made of linen paper, Manila or other thick paper, are presented to the cutting edges, the shear plate is forced backward, thus separating the cutting edges, and resulting in failure to cut the envelop.

An object of my present invention is to overcome this difficulty by providing an adj ustable stop for preventing undue separation of the cutting edges when heavy envelops are presented to the cutters, or in consequence of wear, and I also provide improved means for limiting the rotary movement of the cutting cylinder in both directions. The base of the machine is also of improved form to receive a tray for catching the cuttings, and allowing free access to the adjustable stop for manipulating the same. The details of the invention are hereinafter more specifically described.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a plan view of a machine con taining my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the base in section on the line AA of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4. is a cross section on the line B B of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line C C of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ad justable stop member detached.

Similar reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

1 indicates the base of the machine. 2, 2, are uprights preferably cast integral with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1918.

Serial No. 96,940.

the base 1, and located respectively at or adjacent each end of the base at its top.

3 is a steel cutting cylinder mounted on a shaft at, the ends of which are journaled in the uprights 2, 2, by which the cutting cylinder is supported; the end of the shaft 4 at one side of the machine projects but slightly beyond the upright 2 at that end of the base, while the end of the shaft on the opposite side of the machine projects beyond the upright 2 at that end of the base a suitable distance to receive the operating lever 5 which is removably secured thereon, and by means of which the cutting cylinder 3 is rotated.

In the periphery of the cutting cylinder 3 there is a longitudinal and inclined groove or recess 6 of a predetermined depth forming a substantially spiral knife or cutting edge 7. This groove is preferably shallow in order that only a very thin strip may be cut from the envelop.

8 indicates a horizontal steel shear plate formed of greater length than the groove 0r recess 6, and having a cutting edge which preferably comes below the axis of the cutting cylinder 3 whereby the rotation of the cylinder will sever the edge of the envelop laid upon the shear plate 8 in alinement with its cutting edge. The ends of the shear plate are opposed to portions of the periphery of the cylinder 3 at opposite ends of the groove or recess 6, and rest upon supports 9, 9, one on each end of the base 1 forward of the uprights 2, 2, which supports 9 are preferably made integral with the base. The shear plate 8 is also further supported at its center by an upright 10 which is also preferably an integral part of the base 1. The shear plate is adapted to slide upon the supports 9 and 10.

Secured to each support 9 is a guide plate 11 which prevents lateral or end displace ment of the shear plate and upward move ment of its ends from the supports 9. These guide plates 11 are each provided with an upturned portion l2having openings in their ends adjacent the cutting cylinder in which the trunnions of the guide roller 13 are received.

be cutting 0. Spiral sp at each side or open an envelop made of linen or heavy paper, the shear plate is liable to be forced away from the outing c linder, resulting in failure to cut. overcome his difli- L culty, i provide an adjustable stop member which fit over tiie forward end "ei'it-ral ieniber is secured by a screw 17 piroug in the intermediate portion of stop and front end of the upright 10. This stop meanthe shear plate 8 and h a transverse groove 18 into which the for varc' of the shear 15 for the sore-n 'l'? is of slightly larger diameter than somewhat tapered or inclined from the op nine; t under part of the trinisvers roove 1S. T

tovvard the shear plate 8 uhe i the screw 1? D rewcd in the hole accomplished (after loosening the screw 17), by means of the screw 19 hich is mor able relatively to the member is c crosswise of the cylinder 3, and s located in upri ht l0 15 having inwardly turned siie l6 upright 10 to which the stop 1 l L h a hole screwing into screw threaod hole in the her projects sli htly above the top surface of plate 8 is re eired. The opening in the stop the screw 17 and the inn surface of the stop 15 e ierein to the Q aliovrs the upper part of the stop to be tilt i is shghtli loosened or uns 1n the upright 10. The tilting of the stop 15 arranged a pcrevv threaded hole 20 in t1 t,

are 1- ertending entirely through said upright in line with the sore Y i? but on a lower plane. In the normal ustinent of these parts, the screw l"? scretved in ti thus holding the stop rigidl v againtt he forward end of the upright 10 in a tor cal position with the edge of the shear pa e 8 resting \ithin the transverse groove 18 n i the stop, While the out of contact With i .l" Will be end the screw the inner surface 0 seen that tl shear plate 8. when L 1 a l tlCbQl are L0 as out.

t prevent Wll'lCll th hat in case of the shear 1i tained or means 1 unen ticie has on these parts, the cutting edges may be arpened and the shear plat moved for- 4, 1,4 sari. the

lou front central dep opening of the cutter, and extending through the rear and top sirfaces of the base, and said base forined vrith a substantially ti-shaped top plate having its branches disposed at the ends of said opening in the base and provided. with supporting means for the cutter. idaid opening in the base allows for the insertion of a tray '31 suiported upon the top ends of the base by turned over flanges 22 resting thereon. Tl tray receives the cuttings and is held in place by turn buttons or other suitable means. By removing the trav 21, fr e access may be had to the screw 19 for its manipulation.

l he upright at the right hand end of the machine shaped in cross section, thus providing a projection Q-l on the base, located directly under that end of the shaft '-l to which the operating lever 5 is secured. lhis projection 2% is preferably fiat on its top with a straight vertical side and ends. lt niav if desired be made separate from the n night 2 and secured to the top of the base in any 5 esired manner, but I prefer to cast it integral with the base and upright as the easiest and most economical manner.

The hub of the operating lever 5 secured to the shaft 4:, is prefe 'ablv eccentric or cani shaped providing front and rear con tacts 26 and i respectively, which strike the top of the project-bin it when the lever is manipulated, thus limiting the rotation of the cutting cylinder 3 in either direction in a positive manner Without the least danger injury. in machines of this character it has heretofore been usual to employ a pin in an end of the cylinder Working in a groove in the support for the shaft of the cylinder, but such pins are liable to be bent or broken oil? n use.

.he lever is pr vided on its free end with a hand piece 28 and in operating the machine this end of the lever is depressed until the contact idstriltes the projection it which arrests it" further downvva d movement.

ll ith this movement of the lever, the cutthe en 1 e le ngth W nen y f" m er. go i to pass ined cutting L edge of the iear plate.

" cutting pressure is released upon the hand piece 28 the lever is drawn back by a spiral spring 29 until the contact 27 on the hub of the lever striking the projection 24 arrests its movement in this direction. One end of this spring 29 is secured to the lug 30 projecting from the hub of the lever, while the other end of the spring is secured to the base within contiguous hollow end, the spring passing through a hole 31 in the top o1 the base at this end of the machine. \Vith the upward movement of the lever 5 the cutting cylinder 3 is rotated backward to its normal position.

I provide an oil hole 32 in the top of each of the uprights 2, to allow for lubricating the ends of the shaft 4: journaled therein.

I also preferably provide means for lubricating the cutting cylinder 8, which means consists of a horizontal housing 33 extend ing parallel with the cutting cylinder its entire length, and provided with ears 34 at its ends, by which it is connected to the shaft 4:.

A channel 85 extends longitudinally through the housing 33, which channel is filled with a fibrous or porous substance 36. Spaced oil cups 37 are provided in the top of the housing 83.

This lubricating attachment forms the subject of a separate copending application Serial No. 833, l22, filed of like date herewith, and is particularly described and claimed therein.

I claim as my invention: 7

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a cutter movable about an axis, a base, and supporting means fixed to the base, a shear plate loosely mounted on the supporting means and forming a bed for the article to be cut, said shear plate being movable on the supporting means toward and from the cutter, and a normally fixed member coacting with the shear plate be tween the ends thereof for limiting the movement of the shear plate from the cutter, said shear plate when released from the normally fixed member being movable on the supporting means, from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of acutter movable about an axis and formed with a groove in its periphery having a substantially spiral cutting edge, a base, supporting means fixed to the base, and having spaced apart guiding means, a shear plate loosely mounted on the supporting means and forming a bed for the article to be cut, the shear plate being of greater length than the groove and movable on the supporting means toward and from the cutter, the ends of the shear plate being opposed to portions of the periphery of the cutter at opposite ends of the groove and en gaged with said guiding means for prevent mg endwise movement of the shear plate and upward movement of its ends, and said ends of the shear plate being movable along the guiding means as the shear plate moves toward and from the cutter, and normally fixed means coacting with the shear plate between the spaced apart guiding means for limiting the movement of the shear plate from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a cutter movable about an axis and formed with a recess in its periphery having substantially spiral cutting edge, a shear plate of greater length than the recess and having its ends opposed to portions of the periphery of the cutter at opposite ends of the recess, a base, supporting means fixed to the base, the shear plate being loosely mounted on the supporting means and being movable toward and from the cutter, means tending to move the shear plate toward the cutter, and normally fixed movable means for limiting the movement of the shear plate from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4:. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a cutter movable about an axis, a base, a pair of supports fixed to the base, a shear plate having its ends slidable on the supports toward and from the cutter, and a stop coacting with the cutter between the supports for limiting the movement of the shear plate from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a cutter movable about an axis. a base, a pair of supports fixedly secured to the base, an additional support fixer to the base and interposed between the first mentioned supports, a shear plate having its ends and its intermediate portion slidable on the supports toward and from the cutter, and a stop carried by the intermediate support. and coacting with the intermediate portion of the shear plate for limiting the movement of the shear plate from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a machine oi the character described, the combination of a cutter, a shear plate arranged in position to coact with the cutter and movable to vard and from the cutter, springs at opposite ends of the shear plate, and tending to move the same toward the cutter, and a stop co-acting with the shear plate between the ends thereof and tending to limit the i'novemcnt of the shear plate from the cutter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a cutter movable about an axis, a support in front of the-cutter, a shear plate supported by the support in position to coact with the cutohm'acter (1oa cutter, a supthe cutie, a shear lppGlt in position .1161 movable toward mating member suyport beneath a part thereof and momble "5 L and coach 5h? a Hosting memoor ltion. 01" the s an d for the pm- 1113 7.21 1o? od usi'ablji her to the and for another screw by be op member m w 811921 for he shearing inwardly the forward justably nvm'd ,.oreW pausing said stop .7 chaluc ter demtlon of shear-plow, a snpporz for Us shearonzact with the f0r- 1a romm nth new]: than sold :6, supporfi by meum (1 s mach comb ole a SCLBW 1 diam- & passing therethrough 1 *wmori. and

hem" plate by means of which said stop member may be tilted toward said shear-plate.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a shear-plate, a cutting-cylinder, a support for the shearplate, a stop member having inwardly turned flanges fitting over the forward end of said support which stop member is provided with a hole and its inner surface slightly inclined adjacent said hole, a screw of smaller diameter than said hole passing therethrough and screwed into hole in said support, and another screw passing through said support by means of which said stop member may be tilted.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a shear-plate, a cutting-cylinder, a central support for the shear-plate, a stop member having inwardly turned side flanges fitting over the forward end of said support which stop member is provided with a hole and its inner surface slightly inclined adjacent said hole, a screw of smaller diameter than said hole passing therethrough and screwed into a hole in said support, and another screw passing through said support by means of which said stop member may be tilted toward said shearplate.

21. In a machine for opening envelope, the combination of a shear plate, a central sup port for the same, a cutting cylinder, a stop member provided with a transverse groove and an opening below the same, a screw of smaller diameter than said opening passing therethrough and securing said stop member to said central support, the outer edge of said shear plate fitting within said transverse groove in the stop member, and a screw extending through a screw threaded hole in said central support in line with said attachin screw. but on a lower lane, b means of which the stop member may be adjusted for maintaining the relation of the cutting edges of said shear plate and cutting cylinder.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a base having a substantially flat surface, a cutter mounted on the base and movable about an axis, and an operating member connected to the cutter and having a hub provided with sub stantially flat, spaced apart, peripheral surfaces disposed at an angle to each other and movable alternately into parallelism with said surface of the base and coacting therewith to limit the movement of said member when rocked in opposite directions, substan tially as and for the purpose specified.

In a machine for opening envelops, the combination of a shear plate, a cutting cylinder, a. lever for operating the same, con tacts upon the hub of said lever for limiting its movement in both directions, a spring attached to said lever for returning it to its normal position, and a stop for maintaining the relation of the cutting edges of said shear plate and cutting cylinder.

24. In a machine for opening the combination of a base having a projection on its top surface, a shear plate, a cutting cylinder, a shaft upon which the same is mounted, a lever secured to one end of said snaft and by which the cutting cylinder is rotated, said lever being provided with contact points which limit its movementin either direction by coming in contact with said projection on the base.

25. In a machine for opening envelops, the combination of a base having a projection on its top surface at one end, a shear plate, a cutting cylinder, a shaft upon which the same is mounted, a lever secured to one end of said shaft and by which the cutting cylinder is rotated, and a coil spring attached at one end to said lever and at its other end to said base by means of which the cutting cylinder is returned to a normal position after a forward rotation by said lever, said lever being provided with contact points which limit its movement in-either direction by coming in contact with said projection on the base.

26. In a machine of the character described, a base, a cutter mounted on the base, the base having a substantially central depression in its rear side forming an opening of less length than t envelops,

he base beneath the out ter and extending through the rear and top surfaces of the base, and the base having a substantially U-shaped top plate, the branches of which are disposed at the ends of the opening and are provided with supporting means for the cutter, and a receptacle for clippings movable from the rear of the base into said opening beneath the cutter, said receptacle being removably engaged with the base, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

27. In a machine for opening envelops, the combination with a base having end sections at its rear side and an opening at the rear between said end sections, a tray for entering said opening and having top end flanges resting upon the end sections, and means for removably securing the tray within the opening between the end sections; of a cutter and a shear plate supported by the base above the opening for receiving the tray, substantially as and for the purpose described.

28. In a machine for opening envelops having a base with hollow end sections and open at the rear between said sections, the

combination of a shear-plate, a cutting-cylinder, a support for the shear-plate, a stop member, means for adjustably connecting the stop member to the forward end of said 2 in a machine for spsning envel ops having a base with hollow and secticns arm open at the rear befiveen saicl sections, combinati Within cylinder, slop member Ll opening, a she suppert tor the (:11 of (my removably secured. pplats, a cu' btingthe shear-plate, a means for acljustably cennectst ap member.

filgned by me tlns 11th clay o1"- Apl. 191;.

Witnesses J A l .L ALL.

BASIL J3 ommissioner of 'Patents 

